Wvw Facing A Pair Of Key Tests This Week

All My Children: Bianca Stopped The Show

By STEVE SEMBRAT steves@leader.net
 Sunday, January 07, 2001 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3C 





JENKINS TWP. - If Rich Parent realizes his dream of becoming a full-time
goaltender in the National Hockey League, the 27-year-old Montreal native will
have plenty of people to thank. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 First, there's his wife, Rena, who is caring for their daughter, Rhenna,
who was born Dec. 13. There are also his in-laws, who help keep up with their
20-month old son, Richie. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ``They've been letting me concentrate on hockey and get the rest I need,''
Parent said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 You never walk alone when your career sends you between the NHL and the
minors as much as it has for Parent during the past four seasons. He has made
at least a cameo in the NHL each year, but seems to wind up starting the next
season as an organization's No. 3 goalie. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``It's real tough on my family,'' Parent said. ``It's one of those things
where you're half up, half down. One season I spent three months up. The next
one, I spent three-quarters of the season up, but I still had a house in two
places. It's a tough lifestyle, but I have to do what it takes to get to the
NHL. I have to take my bumps. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``The last three, four years, I've been that number three guy trying to
edge into that number two spot. I'm kind of on the fence.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Parent seemed to be on the verge of an NHL career when he started the
1997-98 season with the St. Louis Blues. But he was hurt in his first game
and, when he returned, spent the rest of the season with Detroit and Manitoba
of the International Hockey League. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 His 1998-99 season was split between St. Louis and its American Hockey
League affiliate in Worcester. He wound up back in the IHL at the start of
last season, and was considered one of the top goalies there before being
traded. He finished 1999-2000 with the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He signed as a free agent with Pittsburgh on Sept. 19. When the
organization's goaltender rotation was settled, Parent was No. 3 again, and
started the season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``My first goal when I signed here with Pittsburgh was to be the No. 2
guy,'' Parent said. ``The chips didn't fall where I wanted. I am going to keep
working hard and try to make them make a decision on me. That's what I've been
trying to do the past three years, try to play well and make them make a
decision.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Parent said he took a step toward that goal in December, when he spent most
of the month in Pittsburgh. He was called up Dec. 2 because Jean-Sebastien
Aubin needed knee surgery, and was sent back down Jan. 2 after Aubin fully
healed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He played in four NHL games, and earned ties in the two he started. That
included a 2-2 tie in a game in his hometown. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I'm undefeated in Montreal,'' said Parent, who won a game he started
there for Tampa Bay last season. ``I've only played two games, but I'm
undefeated. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I got to play a little and show the organization what I could do,''
Parent added of his month in Pittsburgh. ``I came into camp late, and maybe
didn't get the opportunity that I wanted. It was good going in there and
showing what I could do, my work ethic, and a little bit more about me.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The month was especially eventful. His daughter was born while he was in
Pittsburgh. Plus, Parent was around long enough to be on the roster for the
return to play of Mario Lemieux, the 35-year old team owner and NHL Hall of
Fame member, 3 1/2 years after retiring. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``It was a dramatic time to be up there,'' Parent said. ``It was a
historical moment for hockey. To be a part of it was awesome.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 After going 5-2-3 in his first stint with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this
season, Parent made his return in Friday's game at Philadelphia. He wants to
play well consistently here, and use that as a springboard to a regular spot
on an NHL roster. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I know what it is to be up there, and I know what it takes to get up
there,'' Parent said. ``I started the year off here pretty good, then I think
I got a little complacent. I think this is going to put me back on track. I'm
looking forward to playing here and getting the team on a roll. The team here
has had a few skids, but overall it's played really well. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I think I can be a number-two goalie in the NHL, with the Pittsburgh
organization or somewhere else. The (Pittsburgh) organization has been great
to me, but if I have to go somewhere else to be the number two guy, I'll do
that.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 TIMES LEADER FILE PHOTO &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goalie Rich Parent makes a save against Syracuse at
First Union Arena. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 TIMES LEADER FILE PHOTO &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goalie Rich Parent believes he has what it takes to
make it back to the NHL level in Pittsburgh. This season, he recorded two ties
in the two games he started with Pittsburgh before being sent back down to the
local Pens. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Success The Family Way Penguins' Goalie Rich Parent Is On A Quest To Catch On With A Big League Team, And He Has A Good Cheering Section Behind Him.